Circadian Rhythm

Potential-Monke

I've been Googling for ages, but I can't find anything specific to what I'm looking for. We all should be aware of our circadian rhythms, the internal body clock that determines how awake or tired we are depending on a hape of physical, mental, emotional and outside factors. Everything I've been reading is saying that our bodies were designed to be awake during daylight and sleep during night, with our internal clocks sending signals and hormones to induce sleepiness or alertness.

I used to work shift work, and it really took its toll. Most experts say that it takes 10 days to fully reset a circadian rhythm, and I can attest to that, as the changeovers were torture, constantly tired, no energy, etc. My third last job was customer care with shifts varying from 8am starts to 9pm finishes. What I would consider "normal" waking hours. I was still very tired most the time, regardless of how much sleep I got between shifts. My second last job had mainly afternoon/evening shifts, no start earlier than midday and no finish later than 11pm. I felt I had more energy. I was more awake during those hours, more alert.

Just over 2 years ago, I started a full time night shift job. My waking hours are now usually 4pm to 9am, even on days off, and I finally feel normal. When I'm awake, I'm awake and rarely tired. I have energy. My circadian rhythm has found its best rhythm, but everything and everyone will tell me it's bad for me, we're not supposed to be like that. I know there's the early bird and night owl, but that really only references late evenings as being more energetic, I'm totally a night time person.

I'm also ginger, so I never liked the sun or brightness, I'm naturally drawn to the dark. When I had my own house, I rarely opened the curtains. Most of my entertainment is on a screen, so sunlight ruins the view. So I'm trying to find a study, or something that shows that a complete opposite circadian rhythm that doesn't get changed at all, is not a bad thing. I don't think it is. For me, personally, these are the hours I'm best at. Which is what it boils down to really. Wouldn't mind reading at least 1 article about it though! All articles assume it's not permanent night work.

Ahherelads2022

Some people are night owl's. More suited to night's. You are probably.a night owl too,. someone people like night shift and find it hard to sleep on a day job.

gormdubhgorm

First thing I thought of when I read the title of this thread -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUcKeKt8C1k

Yeah, I go between 12 hour days and nights..

Shur it ruins you really..

AllForIt

Ones circadian rhythm actually isn't best done in daylight hours, it's best done if it's the always the same.

As for ginger and sunlight, it's not the ginger part that it the problem. Most white skinned people feel this way, including myself. I'm phasty white, but not ginger.

And again it's simply what one is accustomed to. I lived in a country with wall to wall daily sunlight and heat every day and got used to it over time.

When the sun comes out in Ireland I have to wear sunglasses, even in winter. It's simple, my eyes aren't used to it. I never wore sunglasses when I lived in said hot country.

My CR leans towards the evening, somewhat obviously. It's 1:30am :D

StupidLikeAFox

I listened to an audio book once that argued that ancient tribes needed early risers and night owls to ensure 24 hour lookouts. If you only had early risers in the tribe they would fall asleep at night and get attacked /eaten. So maybe its an evolution thing?

Personally I would absolutely love a 11am to 7pm workday - it's when I get my best work done no matter what kind of sleep I get, what my diet is like, when I start work etc. I reckon it's hardwired in there somewhere